Magazine Online    The Authority On African-American Conventions, Incentives, & Leisure Travel
Issue: Novenber/December 2013
Los Angeles' Sheraton Gateway Hotel: A New Striking Appeal In This Well-Known Lodging Haven For Meetings, Events And Famed Culinary Creations
By: Victoria Head


If you’ve ever flown into the Los Angeles, CA area, chances are you touched down at the world famous Los Angeles International Airport (LAX.) If ever your leisure or business travel plans take you through this SoCal transportation portal again, you should know about a nearby metropolitan oasis - The Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Located less than 1.5 miles from the airport, this uniquely stylish and high-tech venue is close to some of the hottest spots in Southern California and if event or meeting locations are your desire, the Sheraton Gateway has everything you need. Whether a meeting planner, or a resident of Los Angeles planning a wedding, family reunion, high school prom or formal, Bar or Bat Mitzvah, holiday party, anniversary or other function, the experienced on-site planners provide an elevated level of service that allows you to be the ultimate host, while their catering staff helps you design a menu that perfectly and deliciously meets your needs.



Mrs. Tonya Spencer-Walker
is the director of Catering at the Sheraton Gateway and is responsible for handling all tasks related to food services and events at the property. She enjoys assisting her Meetings & Events team with grasping hold of each client’s vision so their venue can ultimately deliver an experience that highly exceeds their expectations in all areas. “It is important to take the time to listen to planners while doing the walk through,” says Spencer-Walker, “…the more attention you pay to the details they’re giving and any areas of concern they may have, the sharper the focus becomes of what they are desiring; after that, making it all happen for them can become a reality…customer service is paramount!”

There are many options at this trendy Los Angeles property; the Sheraton Gateway offers 38 flexible meeting rooms and event spaces, with a total of 50,000 sq. ft. of function space. Their Grand Ballroom is a magnificent 11,400-sq. ft. facility that can accommodate up to 1,500 guests for receptions, theme parties, and gala affairs.

Spencer-Walker says, “I greatly enjoy popping in on the evenings festivities here at the hotel; watching the precision and flow of the event and food service team. It’s nice to see the event hostess/host happy and enjoying the event and I’m always proud to work with such a great team here.”

Spencer-Walker began her hospitality career in Las Vegas, NV, working at the Hilton Family Hotel and Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. She later moved back to the Southern CA area and became part of the Sheraton Gateway team in 2012. Her duties include management of staff to accommodate all the aspects of catering from selection of the menu, meal preparation to service and cleanup.

In addition to the Sheraton Gateway’s impressive Catering Department, the establishment is also well known for its Restaurants. The inspirational Italian-themed Paparazzi, serving up savor fresh pasta and a wide variety of authentic sauces, as well as artistically prepared seafood, poultry, and world class steaks has been named amongst the top 10 Restaurants in Los Angeles. This restaurant, run by the Sicilian born Executive Chef Orazio Parisi, is known for the freshness of its dishes, always acclimated to include the best each season has to offer.

To find out more concerning how you can have your next event professionally tailored by Spencer-Walker at the Sheraton Gateway LAX, and to experience other delightful delicacies at the Paparazzi and Brasserie, you can visit the hotel’s website at www.sheratonlax.com or phone (310) 642-1111.
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